Take 3 for the Sea scoop coveted Energy Globe World Award for Sustainability

Take 3 inspires every person, every day to be proactive and be part of the solution with its simple call to action: take 3 pieces of rubbish with you when you leave the beach, the waterway… or anywhere and you have made a difference. You've likely seen their dedicated work dotted across the Central Coast at our beaches, on signage, wrapped around bins, on your social channels, and stamped on recyclable bottles. They inspire at school talks, tourism training sessions, and even do beach clean-ups with corporate CEOs. But now - we're delighted to see Take 3 on the global stage in Vienna.

The Energy Globe World Award for Sustainability is a prestigious environmental prize awarded by the Energy Globe Foundation of Vienna, Austria to individuals and organizations committed to working for environmental well-being and sustainability. The foundation’s goal is to highlight solutions to environmental problems. It recognises projects that focus on innovative ways to protect the environment through personal action, sustainable initiatives  or campaigns for raising awareness about sustainability.

There were more than 3,000 entries worldwide from 160 countries and Take 3 was delighted to be selected firstly as the winner for Australia in the Youth category of the competition.

Take 3 was then nominated for the World award which recognises the world’s best environmental projects for young people and was announced the winner on 30 November, ahead of fellow finalists from Spain and Venezuela.

The Energy Globe World Award recognises Take 3's unique, simple and positive solution to a complex global environmental problem – marine plastic pollution.

After receiving the award, co-founder Roberta Dixon-Valk said,

"I am honoured to accept this prestigious sustainability award on behalf of Take 3 for the Sea and our amazing global community. Take 3 firmly believes that everyone has a role to play in reducing plastic pollution. Take 3 strives to open people’s eyes to the plastic pandemic and then start a conversation on reducing their individual plastic footprint. It is humbling to see our simple idea acknowledged in such a significant forum, and the only reason I am here tonight is because of the 13 years of hard work by our dedicated staff and volunteers. To all of you who have helped Take 3 on its journey, thank you.”

From Copacabana to Soldiers, Shelly to Putty, Central Coast beaches are all local treasures. Whether you love snorkelling, swimming, surfing or diving here, global award-winning local innovators invite you to protect our coastline.

From humble beginnings on the Central Coast, Take 3 for the Sea has captured the planet with its simple environmental message of picking up rubbish from beaches and waterways. Behind the movement is Roberta Dixon-Valk, Amanda Marechal and Sarah Beard. We sat down with the changemaking trio to hear how a coastal life sparked their influential campaign - read their Local Guide here.

Take 3 for the Sea was founded in 2009 in response to the ongoing issue of plastic pollution leaking into our oceans and choking marine wildlife. Two friends and ocean lovers set about identifying a solution to this issue – marine ecologist, Roberta Dixon-Valk and youth educator, Amanda Marechal – developed Take 3, an idea where a simple action could produce profound consequences. They were joined by environmentalist Tim Silverwood, and Take 3 for the Sea was born. The organisation delivers educational programs and uses social media to inspire people across Australia and around the world to take action to reduce plastic pollution and transition to a circular economy. 

In itself, Take 3 is a unique, simple, positive solution to a complex global environmental problem; it is a global movement that inspires every person, every day to be proactive and remove plastic pollution. However, Take 3 also works to increase awareness of ocean ecosystems and plastic pollution impacts, inspire waste reduction and plastic minimisation initiatives, and encourage transition to a circular economy.

The success of Take 3 is its simplicity – anybody can Take 3 anywhere, anytime. The clarity of this message and the ease with which it is spread across social media and within social circles is key to its success. In addition to the direct removal of plastic pollution, research reveals participants also reduce their waste and single-use plastics, engage in broader sustainability issues, and communicate the Take 3 message within their social circles.